Radiator Extension Tails

[roverblue]

Good Afternoon,

Quick question: can you buy rigid radiator extension tails with a union fitting on the end?

I can only seem to find extendable ones, but don't trust the rubber olive on the end that goes in the rad.

example: http://www.screwfix.com/p/radiator-union-valve-tail-pack-of-2/78169

thanks in advance,
Rik

 

[mazperks]

Hi Rik, Toolstation catalogue p.333, 10 sizes.
(Your existing rad tail & nut is removed and screwed into the extension.)

 

[alan999]

Hi
Many radiators now have a rubber seal on the blanking nut and bleed valve. Is the extendable tail seal different to this?

 

[roverblue]

Thanks for the heads up will go with them.

Alan - Yes the rubber seal is the same as u would get on a blank. Fitted these types before and had problem with leaks after the rubber perished within a few months. Can't be fussed going through it again!

 

[Madrab]

The rubber seal shouldn't perish within a couple of months unless it had become contaminated or overtightened, common cause for the rubber seals failing.

As you suggest, it is exactly the same as can be found on a blank or a bleed valve which remain watertight for the life of the rad and should perform without issue.

 

[Gelf]

Those radiator tails (screwfix) are also extendable, i.e. they slide in an out, useful for changing old imperial rads for metric ones and lining up to the existing pipework.
This means there is another seal (probably o-ring) inside the tail.

I've just fitted a couple and they are working fine (only a week in though). A little bit concerning is that you can wiggle the pipework and watch the tail go in and out, but that's probably me being paranoid and used to rigid connections everywhere.

You can also use some fernox, ls-x to enhance the seal of the rubber o-rings if you wish, but it shouldn't be necessary.